Marlin .22, anyone know this model?

Hey folks, I picked up this Marlin that has a really stiff action which I intend to do the full on cleaning and a new main spring for starters. I'm not previously familiar with this model and now that I've looked it over closely I still can't find a model number.
There is lettering on the top and left side of the barrel which show in the pictures. Only other markings are the word "safe" next to the safety. Of course I've pulled the steel from the stock to inspect for the hidden. So is it still hiding or does it simply not bear a model mark and ultimately... what is it?
Also what is "Smokeless Greased"?
Thanks.

I'd like to get some comments on this too. The barrel and receiver fit the stock like a glove but the trigger is too long for the guard. My first thought was that the guard was changed out so I checked to see if the screw holes lined up, which they do perfectly. What are the chances a different guard will fit the shape and line up perfecto? It's even less likely that a trigger would have been replaced with one longer than it's original.

But again it seems like the steel was made for this stock. The only thing that might say otherwise is this dark area behind the receiver. I have seen weapons show some of this but not to this extent. Too large of an area to leave unfinnished, wouldn't you agree?

I can only sumize that though it fits well it can't be the original stock.

Attached Files:

22 Rimfire is one of the oldest metallic cartridges, dating back to the 22 Short that Smith & Wesson introduced for its first revolvers in the 1850's. For many years it was loaded with black powder, and for years after that with something called "semi-smokeless".

Although the amount of smoke they made was not an issue, these rounds also produced too much fouling to function properly in a semi-automatic gun. That is why Remington and Winchester both designed special, different 22 Automatic cartridges when they introduced their first semi-auto 22 rifles; it is also why John Browning designed the 25 ACP cartridge for his first vest-pocket sized pistol. That was around 1905.

I think in the 1920's, fully smokeless 22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle ammuntion became available. This made guns like the Colt 22 Woodsman practical, and it made it possible to make semi-auto rifles as well.

This is why your rifle specifies 22 Long Rifle Smokeless; it was apparently made at a time when 22 semi-smokeless might still be encountered, and it would not function well with that. Because companies tended to use roll stamps until they wore out, your gun might have been made as late as 1960 or so; I'm afraid I don't know anything about it specifically.

Thanks Lanrezak, that answers one of my questions anyway and I appreciate the full explanation too. I imagine the word "Greased" then simply adds to their discription, though unnecessary, unless that was the nomenclature at the time.

Ok, yeah I'll check that out too. I just looked at the 780, 880 and one other that were all bolt actions. Then I looked at a 50, it didn't show the whole gun, just some parts but it looked like a possibility.

fuzebox40. I don't really know anything about the "Greased" part. I thought all 22 ammo was always "outside lubricated". Nowadays that means the bullet is coated with some kind of wax, but I think something more like grease was used in the past. I don't know why Marlin would feel they had to specify that.

Ok, yeah I'll check that out too. I just looked at the 780, 880 and one other that were all bolt actions. Then I looked at a 50, it didn't show the whole gun, just some parts but it looked like a possibility.

Click to expand...

yeah, I seen the ball for the action and ran with it. sorry. I had found a model/make marlin history page that had all their guns broke into classes by action, feed, and ammo type. narrowed it to one in the bolt section. quite a few for the semiauto. the lr only will be the key i think. trying to find that had page again and cant though......

Well I think I found the explode view of the action at Num. gun parts corp. On their list it's an "A1". There are 3 variants of A1, I think the others are A1C and A1DL, all seem to be sharing this same parts breakdown.
Oh and I don't think I'll be looking up the year because there's no sl. no. that I can find.

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